Tool and die makers are machinists who create the parts and tools used to manufacture everything from the smallest toy to the largest jet engine. Originally, all work was done by hand. Today, computer numerically controlled, or CNC, machines perform many of the tasks. Once programmed, CNC machines work quickly, efficiently, and to exact specifications whether an order is for 10 units or 100.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the median annual wage for tool and die makers is around $51,000 per year - well above the average national wage. While no higher education degree is required to enter the field, most tool and die manufacturers undergo an extensive apprenticeship, learning their craft on the job. Some advance from CNC machine operators to CNC progra...(Full Article)

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